Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Cape Colony' (4597 Pte J Sinclair 2:R.Highrs) Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Cape Colony' (4597 Pte J Sinclair 2:R.Highrs) Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Cape Colony' (4597 Pte J Sinclair 2:R.Highrs) Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Cape Colony' (4597 Pte J Sinclair 2:R.Highrs)

Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902. Silver issue with clasp 'Cape Colony' (4597 Pte J Sinclair 2:R.Highrs)

Black Day for the Black Watch - Magersfontein: The single clasp 'Cape Colony' QSA medal issue was awarded to 2nd Battalion Black Watch who served in Cape Colony, South Africa, 1899-1900, including all veterans of the bloody battle of Magersfontein - and who did not serve in South Africa, after 1900

After having disembarked at Cape Town, Cape Colony on 13 November 1899, 2/Black Watch were brigaded with the 1st Highland Light Infantry, 2nd Seaforth Highlanders, and 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, to form the 3rd or 'Highland Brigade' under command of Major General Wauchope - a Black Watch officer

For 2/Black Watch their baptism of fire during the South African War took place less than a month after they had landed in the Cape. On 11 December 1899, 2/Black Watch, led the advance of the Highland Brigade at Magersfontein - with Major General Wauchope being shot dead in the opening volleys of well aimed mauser rifle shot that pured into the advancing Highlanders - the highlanders attack being stalled and ultimately repelled by the Boers

The British loses at Magersfontein are estimated to have been 22 x officers and 188 x other ranks killed; 46 x officers and 629 x other ranks wounded, and 1 x officer and 62 x other ranks missing. Of this, the Highland Brigade suffered losses of 747 x all-ranks killed, wounded, and missing. Among the individual battalions, 2/Black Watch suffered the most severely, with losses, killed, wounded & missing, being an estimated 303 x all-ranks

Important: Medal and clasp verified per the respective campaign medal roll of the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) that was compiled and signed 'In-the-Field' at, Ladybrand, South Africa on, 9 September 1901 (ref WO 100/190)

James Sinclair, a Scot, was the son of Angus Sinclair (a native of Latheron, Caithness, Scotland & serving soldier of the 93rd Highlanders, who held the Crimea Medals, Indian Mutiny Medal & Military Long Service & Good Conduct Medal)) & Christina Sinclair (nee Parks) was born at Aldershot, Hampshire, England, on,18 September 1873. By trade a 'Labourer', John was 18 years of age when he enlisted for the British Army at, the Regimental Depot of the Royal Highlanders, at, Perth, Scotland, on, 2 September 1891. At the time of his attestation, James cited prior service with the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the Royal Highlanders. His terms of engagement were 7 years 'With the Colours' and 5 years in the Reserve. At the time of his enlistment, James nominated his widowed mother, Christina Sinclair, as his 'Next of Kin', at which time she was residing at, 34 Taylor Wynd, Dundee, Scotland. James served his entire military service with the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), including garrison deployment in Ireland. On the expiration of his 'Army Service' James transferred to the Army Reserve on 2 September 1898, and a returned to civilian life. Per special Army Order of 7 September 1899, John was mobilized & recalled from the Army Reserve, being posted back to his former battalion, 2/BW, on 9 September 1899. Less then 6 weeks later, James embarked overseas for the South African War with 2/Black Watch, where the 'Red Hackles' disembarked at Capetown on 13 November 1899. James Sinclair, served in South Africa through to, 15 September 1900, and on 16 September embarked for his return to the United Kingdom. James Sinclair took his final discharge from the British Army on, 1 September 1903, by which time he had served a total of 12 years 'With the Colours' and the 'Army Reserve'

Sold together with hard copy extract page from the respective medal roll

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

A most desirable 'Highland Brigade' & Black Watch medal

Condition: Toned GVF

Code: 20935